To understand Russia’s disinformation operations and political influence efforts, you must understand their patience for these matters.

Former Foreign Service Officer Dennis Kux, in 1985, writing on Soviet active measures:

“Moscow takes an extremely long-term view of these operations. The Soviets do not necessarily seek immediate gains and are not looking for a major impact from every effort. They are satisfied that the cumulative effect of periodic successes outweighs failures and misfires and makes their considerable investment of people and money worthwhile.”

In the modern time, it potentially explains the patience around US election meddling – years in the making – and the cultivation of the image of Edward Snowden.